Should I Stay at Home Alone? Lived Experiences of Loneliness Among Older Adults: A Qualitative Study
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Design
2.2. Participants and Sampling
2.3. Ethical Considerations
2.4. Data Collection
2.5. Data Analysis
3. Findings
3.1. Deterioration in Physical Functions and Mobility Limitations (Physical)
3.1.1. Fear of Falls and Injury
I reside in an old estate, and most citizens have moved out. It’s so quiet, and the surroundings are dim at night. I am scared and feel lonely as no one is with me. My vision has worsened in recent years, and I cannot see things clearly. Even when I go out, I cannot see or be aware of the oncoming vehicles(P13).
After I recovered from coronavirus, my health deteriorated. One time, I lost consciousness and fell outside. I was admitted to the hospital for treatment. Since then, I have had sudden vertigo from time to time, and the surroundings seem to be moving around. I was so scared I had to ask someone to take me home immediately. After that, I stayed home mostly with my maid. I wish I could be healthy and free to go out(P15).
3.1.2. Inability to Go on Outings
We (and her husband) planned to travel elsewhere after retirement… However, our health is not so good. He had various chronic illnesses, including cancer, and had undergone an operation. Same to me, my severe back pain improved a bit after surgery, I could only walk for a while… We cannot go traveling anymore…(P1).
I have participated in various group activities at the community center before, such as handicraft and singing classes. After the stroke, I was unable to join or enjoy the classes because of the affected body and hand movements. I stay home mainly… Sometimes, the maid accompanies me for a walk or shopping…(P19).
3.2. Experience of Inadequate Social Support and Networks (Social)
3.2.1. Superficial Relationships with Neighbors and Social Friends
I had old friends with whom I had a good relationship and shared happiness, but they were dead. I have good neighbors, but the relationship is not deep. We meet during our morning exercise. We chat casually, but we’re not particularly close(P1).
They are only social friends, not close friends. Spending the day with them in the center is better than staying home alone. Just chatting, watching TV, having lunch together…(P3).
3.2.2. Diminished Social Support and Social Activities
I had work colleagues, good friends, and social friends when I was young. You know, after retirement and getting older, we seldom met and contacted each other… They passed away one by one, and even my relatives became fewer. It’s life… It’s inevitable…(P8).
Most of my close friends have passed away. Early this year (in 2022), my younger sister got infected with the coronavirus and was admitted to the hospital. Just three days later, she passed away. Then, her husband (brother-in-law) was also infected and passed away three weeks later. You know, it’s so sudden and unexpected(P4).
We have frequently visited Shenzhen (a Chinese city near Hong Kong). Now, due to my leg problem, the pandemic social distancing measures before, and my close friends passed away, no more tours or trips(P17).
3.3. Altered Family Dynamics and Support (Familial)
3.3.1. Strained Family Relationships
My husband passed away seven years ago, and then I lived with my daughter and son-in-law. I had a previous quarrel with them. Since then, they seldom talked to me, especially after she had employed a migrant worker. She only communicates with the maid but neglects me. I don’t understand what the maid says, as she is Indonesian (using a different language). My son last visited me a year ago(P5).
My husband died many years ago. I’ve lived alone for 8 years, and my health has not been good in recent years. I’ve two daughters and two sons, but the relationships are not good… I live with my elder daughter, her husband, and an Indonesian maid. Others seldom contact me. We had argued about the property issue…(P7).
3.3.2. Loss of Family Support
I have three children. My daughter is mentally incompetent and lives in a residential care home. The son is a teacher, and the other daughter is a nurse. They live and work in distant places, visiting me once a month. When I was sick, I would call them. I would be happy if they could come frequently and join me for dinner(P18).
I have lived alone for more than twenty years after my wife’s death. Even though I was sick, no one helped or cared about me. I’m old. They (the children) seldom contact me, especially after I employed a maid to care for me two years ago. We (with the maid) use body language to communicate, as she speaks English. I am unhappy and feel lonely… I have no one to talk to(P6).
3.3.3. Family’s Unavailability for In-Person Visits
I have two sons and two daughters. My elder son and daughter emigrated to England and Australia and seldom contact me. Another daughter provides financial support, and the younger son lives far away and occasionally visits us (and her husband) for my husband’s hospital follow-up appointments and performs house maintenance(P11).
My husband passed away years ago. We have three sons, one of whom has been living in Ireland for over 30 years. One stayed in mainland China mostly, and the other lives in Hong Kong. Sometimes I miss them so much and feel a deep sense of loneliness… Though they were not living with me, they employed the maid to care for me(P17).
3.4. Experience of Negative and Complex Emotions (Emotional)
3.4.1. Experienced Helplessness
We are old, and she (his wife) has been paralyzed for years after a stroke. She had an awful experience residing in a private nursing home for a few months. Then, I hired and changed a few maids to assist me in daily housework and caring for her. I teach the maid Cantonese so that the maid can communicate with her. I’m older than her (his wife), and I hope to live longer to care for her. I cannot imagine what her life would be without me…(P14).
I am not married and do not have any children. My sister-in-law has hired a migrant worker to take care of me. She accompanies me to the hospital. However, she will be leaving in November. My sister-in-law may be unable (financially) to hire a new maid for me. I am so worried… What can I do?(P13).
3.4.2. Feelings of Emptiness
My husband died years ago, and my children are far away (emigrated)…I wish they could be with me… I told myself to accept their decision… I have no choice, and my life has changed… I do not enjoy video calls… I’m so weak, and seldom go out. My health is worsening, and I was admitted to the hospital before… They (the children) employed a maid for me(P15).
I often feel unwell and experience discomfort. I have multiple health issues and have undergone several surgeries, including the removal of my breast, gallbladder, and uterus. I have also had procedures for cataracts, glaucoma, and a corneal transplant. I have a brain tumor, but I informed my doctor that I prefer not to have surgery anymore… I have an empty body only… I’m scared that I may die soon(P18).
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Examples of Open-Ended Guiding Questions. |
Based on your previous survey interview data, you have a good/fair/poor relationship with your domestic worker, and you also experienced a mild/moderate/intense sense of loneliness.
Can you share some of the social and daily activities you have participated in over the past few months or years? What are your thoughts on your relationships with your friends and neighbors? How do you feel about your current health condition? |
No. | Gender | Age | Marital Status | Living with Family |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Female | 94 | Married | Husband |
2 | Female | 84 | Married | Husband |
3 | Male | 73 | Widowed | --- |
4 | Female | 83 | Married | Husband |
5 | Female | 86 | Widowed | Daughter and son-in-law |
6 | Male | 85 | Widowed | --- |
7 | Female | 90 | Widowed | Daughter and son-in-law |
8 | Male | 89 | Married | Wife |
9 | Female | 80 | Widowed | Daughter |
10 | Female | 75 | Married | Husband, son, daughter-in-law, and grandson |
11 | Female | 87 | Married | Husband |
12 | Female | 67 | Married | Husband |
13 | Female | 75 | Single | --- |
14 | Male | 83 | Married | Wife |
15 | Female | 83 | Widowed | --- |
16 | Male | 84 | Widowed | --- |
17 | Female | 90 | Widowed | --- |
18 | Female | 87 | Widowed | --- |
19 | Female | 70 | Married | Husband |
Core Theme | Interconnected Themes | Subthemes |
---|---|---|
Should I stay at home alone? | Physical— Deterioration in physical functions and mobility limitations |
|
Social— Experience of inadequate social support and networks |
| |
Familial— Altered family dynamics and support |
| |
Emotional— Experience of negative and complex emotions |
|
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Hung, M.S.Y.; Li, M.M.H.; Ho, K.H.M. Should I Stay at Home Alone? Lived Experiences of Loneliness Among Older Adults: A Qualitative Study. Healthcare 2025, 13, 2101. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13172101
Hung MSY, Li MMH, Ho KHM. Should I Stay at Home Alone? Lived Experiences of Loneliness Among Older Adults: A Qualitative Study. Healthcare. 2025; 13(17):2101. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13172101
Chicago/Turabian StyleHung, Maria Shuk Yu, Michael Man Ho Li, and Ken Hok Man Ho. 2025. "Should I Stay at Home Alone? Lived Experiences of Loneliness Among Older Adults: A Qualitative Study" Healthcare 13, no. 17: 2101. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13172101
APA StyleHung, M. S. Y., Li, M. M. H., & Ho, K. H. M. (2025). Should I Stay at Home Alone? Lived Experiences of Loneliness Among Older Adults: A Qualitative Study. Healthcare, 13(17), 2101. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13172101